RUCKMAN Hamish McIntosh is confident that a solid post-Christmas training block has him in good shape to make an impact this season.

McIntosh had a slow start to the pre-season following knee surgery last September.

But after putting in a power of work on the training track, the 30-year-old was an impressive in the VFL Cats' win over Collingwood last weekend.

And he will continue his push to be selected for Geelong's home and away season opener against Hawthorn after being selected in the final NAB Challenge game against Carlton on Sunday.

"It's been a good pre-season for myself," McIntosh told geelongcats.com.au. "Last year I got a fair bit of work in, but probably because I was coming off an injury-interrupted season it wasn't as much as I would've liked.

"This year I feel a lot fitter going into the season and hopefully my body can hold up for longer, get through more games and pull up better week-to-week.

"I've done a lot of running. It's probably the most training I've done since I've been at the club, so it's been exciting on that behalf.

"My body feels really good, my knee feels really good, so it gives me a lot of confidence going to the year.

"But that is only the start of it. Now I need to play some good footy and do my bit for the side."

McIntosh failed to play a game at any level in his first season at Geelong in 2013, but he rebounded by playing 17 AFL games last season.

His form was strong through the early part of the Cats' campaign, but he faded in August and September.

"I still took a lot of positives out of the season," McIntosh said. "I was happy with my form and the way I played until around two-thirds of the way through the year.

"Then I was disappointed with how it all finished in my last two or three games. It was really disappointing to not play well and for my body to break down.

"I was pretty disappointed at the time, but I soon got on with getting going again."

McIntosh's coaches have been impressed by the way he has dedicated himself to the task.

"He's been running really well, he's covering the ground really well, it's just the match-fitness that we need to get into him," Geelong's midfield coach, Nigel Lappin, said.

"Whether he's ready for round one or not … we're hoping he will be, and we'll work that out over the next couple of weeks.

"Hamish played most of the games for us last year and was a really solid contributor. We hope he can do the same this year."

McIntosh tallied 29 hit-outs, 17 disposals and two goals in his appearance in the VFL against Collingwood, and the big man thoroughly enjoyed himself.

"It was really good," he said. "The pressure was off, and I felt like I could just enjoy the game.

"I had the jelly legs early because I hadn't done too much match-practice, but once that went away it was really enjoyable.

"I hadn't played in the VFL for four or five years, and to go out there and feel relaxed was nice for a change.

"It was like playing country footy – just having fun with your mates. My body felt really good too, which made it a lot more enjoyable.

"I played a fair bit of game-time – probably 75 or 80 per cent – and my form got better as the game went along. And I pulled up really well."

McIntosh is now aiming to be selected to take on the Hawks at the MCG on Easter Monday.

"I'm just putting my foot forward in each game and training session and leaving it up to the coaching staff to see what line-up they go with," he said.

"I'm just doing my best to be in their minds and have them thinking that I can contribute to the side."